You can’t have a celebration without today’s cocktail.

By Cari Jorgensen

Born in Havana, the Mojito has become one of the more popular cocktails, so much so that July 11 has been named National Mojito Day (as though anyone needed an excuse to drink this cocktail). To help you celebrate, we’re offering you four ways to enjoy the cocktail, each made with a different spirit. Whether you prefer the traditional rum concoction or if you favor vodka, whiskey or tequila, there’s a Mojito variation for you here.

The Vodka Mojito
Recipe by Absolut

Ingredients:
2 Parts Absolut Vodka
1 Part Lime Juice
¾ Part Simple Syrup
6 Leaves Mint Leaf
4 Quarters Lime
Soda Water

Preparation:
In a chilled highball glass, muddle the lime and mint leaf. Fill the glass with crushed ice. Add the lime juice, simple syrup and vodka. Stir. Top with soda water.

The Bourbon Whiskey Mojito
Recipe by Maker’s Mark

Ingredients:
1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon
Fresh mint
2 tablespoons simple syrup* muddled with mint
Squeeze juice of two lime wedges
Splash DeKuyper Triple Sec Liqueur
Lime wedge for garnish
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup distilled water

Preparation:
Make the simple syrup by dissolving sugar. Make sure to stir it constantly to prevent it from burning. Set it aside to cool. Mix all the ingredients together and top it off with a splash of the liqueur. Serve in an ice-filled tall glass rimmed with sugar. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

The Tequila Mojito
Recipe by Bar None Drinks

Ingredients:
2 oz. Herradura Silver Tequila
1 oz. Agave Nectar
1 oz. Lime Juice
4 Mint Leaves
2 oz. Club Soda

Preparation:
Muddle the mint leaves in a shaker. Add the remaining ingredients along with ice and roll to mix. Serve in a Collins Glass.

The Rum Mojito aka The Classic Mojito
Recipe by Bacardi

Ingredients:
2 parts BACARDÍ Superior rum
4 lime wedges
12 fresh mint leaves
2 heaped tsp of caster sugar
1 part soda water/club soda
Sprig of fresh mint to garnish

Preparation:
Press the limes and sugar together gently. Clap the mint leaves between your palms to bruise them, then rub the rim of the glass with them and put them in. Fill half the glass with crushed ice. Add the rum and stir. Top with crushed ice, splash of soda and mint sprig.

Whatever your plans are for this day, make sure it includes a Mojito.